I think that the Rebels put out a taunting press release that read "Rookie Rebel Pilot Luke Skywalker delivers fatal torpedoes to the Death Star with the help from his little band of friends." Once Vader realizes this is his son, he gets a little choked up with a sense of pride saying, "That's my boy."

It's not random EU bashing. I enjoying interpreting the movies, but those of us who want to interpret the movies based solely on what happens in the movies always get shouted down by the EU-loyalist committee.

This thread is a perfect example of what happens all the time in here. Someone asks a movie related question "When did Vader discover Luke was his son?". Someone else chimes in with a purely EU answer about the "tortured rebel pilot." Then most of the rest of the thread devolves into a discussion about the various EU interpretations of the original question (and please note all this took place before I jumped in). So I'm trying to get the topic back in line with a purely-movie discussion, which is what, IMHO, the OP originally had in mind.

I make no secret of the fact that I dislike the EU, but I can't find the forum rule that says criticizing the EU is not permitted in this forum.

Criticizing the EU is one thing. Calling it garbage and eagerly awaiting how E7 will destroy it (despite the fact that you hsve zero evidence that that will even occur) is quite another. Bashing accomplishes nothing, and all it does is incite a fight. If you have your own opinion about the topic, feel free to chime in. But you can't just throw out cheap shots at the EU anytime it's mentioned on these forums. Your Cliegg meme as well as the first sentence of your second post are purely there to bash the EU. The remainder of your second post is perfectly acceptable.

I enjoying interpreting the movies, but those of us who want to interpret the movies based solely on what happens in the movies always get shouted down by the EU-loyalist committee.

Then by all means create your own thread which specifies that there will be no EU answers whatsoever. You have no jurisdiction otherwise.

Furthermore, the OP did not ask a movie-related question, since the movie does not address how Vader found out about Luke. And since the OP did not ask for this thread to contain no EU answers, you have no cause to object to the EU being used here.

I have a question regarding this topic...how the hell did the Emperor know that Luke is Vadakin's son? Vadakin never told the Emperor that Padme is pregnant nor if she and Vadakin were having a son or daughter (or maybe both at the same time) and when the Emperor told Vadakin that he killed Padme, he too believed it to be true since they both spent 2 decades believing that Padme died while she's still pregnant. The scene of the Emperor informing Vadakin of Luke didn't bother me back when the prequels didn't exist but after Revenge of the Sith came out in theaters, I was puzzled as to how the Emperor would know who Luke is without being told about the pregnancy.

I have a question regarding this topic...how the hell did the Emperor know that Luke is Vadakin's son? Vadakin never told the Emperor that Padme is pregnant nor if she and Vadakin were having a son or daughter (or maybe both at the same time) and when the Emperor told Vadakin that he killed Padme, he too believed it to be true since they both spent 2 decades believing that Padme died while she's still pregnant. The scene of the Emperor informing Vadakin of Luke didn't bother me back when the prequels didn't exist but after Revenge of the Sith came out in theaters, I was puzzled as to how the Emperor would know who Luke is without being told about the pregnancy.

I think during E3, Sidious pretty much knew everything that was going on with Anakin. One way or another, he obviously knew Anakin and Padme were in a serious relationship, even though it was officially still a secret (the worst kept secret in the galaxy). Did he know they were married? Probably, but that doesn't really matter. Plus, it was pretty obvious she was pregnant because she started showing - not to mention she was buried in such a way to give the impression she died before giving birth.

I think the Jedi successfully pulled off a fast one on our Sith Lord friends, which enabled Luke and Leia to remain undetected for 18+ years. Luke was so far out in the Outer Rim, he could use his name freely (which was probably an extremely unwise thing, but we have to ignore that for story telling purposes). Leia had to take her adopted family's name since she was a prominent citizen.

There's always that "search your feelings"/"trust your instincts" thing going on with the Jedi and Sith.

I would think that Luke's name would get out as the Rebels try to rally more systems to their cause. Luke is like a poster boy hero for giving the galaxy hope. He's some farm boy from some backwater world that took out the Empire's battle station in a starfighter. I think that's something the Rebels would want to advertise.

So then Vader catches wind that the pilot that he sensed was strong with the Force that he was chasing down the trench is named "Skywalker." Obi-Wan had resurfaced after decades in hiding, earlier while on the Death Star. And re-winding back to ROTS, Padme was unaccounted for in Vader's mind after he had been defeated by Obi-Wan. So Obi-Wan could have retrieved her body and rescued his child as far as he knew.

It's hard to tell if Vader would even view Palpatine as a liar at that point. Because all Palpatine says is that "it SEEMS in your anger... you killed her." Palpatine never said that he found her body or anything. So Palpatine might have merely learned of Padme's death from reports on Naboo prior to her wake (as far as Vader is concerned).

So I think Vader would become highly suspicious when there's a Force sensitive "Skwalker" that shows up around the same time as Obi-Wan. Though perhaps Vader didn't know with 100% certainty and it wasn't until Palpatine reinforces the idea of Luke being Anakin's son that Vader knows for certain.

As far as how Palpatine knew Padme was pregnant, it could have been sensing Anakin's thoughts or through merely knowing via the Force in the same was that Leia "always knew" that Luke was her brother. Obi-Wan even knew in ROTS and AFAIK, Anakin never told him. I don't know if it was a well kept secret that Padme was pregnant, but there was probably some suspicion as to who the father was, and for people like Obi-Wan and Palpatine, it probably wasn't hard to figure out.

I would think that Luke's name would get out as the Rebels try to rally more systems to their cause. Luke is like a poster boy hero for giving the galaxy hope. He's some farm boy from some backwater world that took out the Empire's battle station in a starfighter. I think that's something the Rebels would want to advertise.

Not only that, but also the fact that this farm boy pilot was the son of Annikin Skywalker, deceased Jedi Knight and 'hero' of the Clone Wars.

Did he know they were married? Probably, but that doesn't really matter. Plus, it was pretty obvious she was pregnant because she started showing - not to mention she was buried in such a way to give the impression she died before giving birth.

I remember reading that in real life, the "bump" doesn't go down immediately after birth, but takes a while to go down.

Since Padme died immediately after giving birth- it's possible that no particular measures would need to be taken to make her look "still pregnant".

TR&FODV does mention the captured Rebel. The main reason I asked, was that you've quoted the scene where Vader's watching the Larses die on the holocomm, and that book was the first to mention it.

Some time later, Vader's dwelling on the name "Skywalker" for the pilot who destroyed the Death Star:

The Rise & Fall of Darth Vader

Could there have been other Skywalkers from Tatooine? Vader allowed the possibility. After all, it wasn't an entirely uncommon name in the galaxy.

But Anakin and Padme Amidala had been expecting a baby nineteen years ago.

Nineteen standard years.

It's not possible,Vader thought.I killed Padme. The baby died with her.

Not for the first time, he wondered if the Emperor had told him the whole truth about Padme's death.But I remember choking her ... seeing her collapse on Mustafar. I was so angry with her. And yet ...

Luke Skywalker exists.

Vader refused to believe the notorious Rebel's surname was merely a bizarre coincidence. If he had possessed any other name, Vader would not have hesitated to report what he had learned to the Emperor. But for purely selfish reasons, Vader kept the young Rebel's name to himself. To him, Luke Skywalker was more than a mystery to be solved.

He is ... an opportunity. As strong with the Force as he may be, he is an opportunity ... an opportunity for even greater power.

But who is he? Who were his parents? Could he have been Obi-Wan's son? But then why was he named Skywalker and raised by the Lars family? Or was he merely trained by Obi-Wan?

Because Obi-Wan Kenobi, Shmi Skywalker, Owen and Beru Lars, and Padme Amidala were dead, there was only one way Vader could discover the truth. He would have to ask Luke Skywalker himself. All he had to do was find him.

and later, the scene in ESB is shown from Vader's point of view.

The Rise & Fall of Darth Vader

"What is thy bidding, my Master?"

From light years away, on Coruscant, the Emperor replied, "There is a great disturbance in the Force."

"I have felt it," Vader said.

"We have a new enemy. The young Rebel who destroyed the Death Star. I have no doubt that this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker."

Offspring?! The surviving tissue in Vader's throat suddenly went dry. Through his shock, he managed to say, "How is that possible?"

Without offering any explanation to support his stated conviction, the Emperor answered, "Search your feelings, Lord Vader. You will know it to be true. He could destroy us."

Having fought Luke Skywalker on Mimban, Vader was even more aware of the young man's powers than was the Emperor. But he also knew something else; Luke was as ignorant of their familial connection as Vader had been. If he had known the truth on Mimban, Vader thought, I would have sensed it. Still grappling with the Emperor's declaration, he struggled to find words that might discourage his Master's interest in Skywalker. "He is just a boy," Vader said. "Obi-Wan can no longer help him."

The Emperor believed otherwise. "The Force is strong with him," he said. "The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi."

The Emperor had not said in so many words that he wanted Luke Skywalker dead, so Vader — needing Skywalker alive to accomplish his goals — took a different tack. "If he could be turned," Vader suggested, "he would become a powerful ally."

"Yes," the Emperor mused, as if he had not thought of that possibility. Vader could only imagine what the Emperor was thinking. The Sith had long maintained their rule of two: one Master, one apprentice. Even Vader knew that there wasn't room enough in the galaxy for three Sith Lords, and yet the Emperor's hooded eyes seemed to sparkle as he said more emphatically, "Yes. He would be a great asset. Can it be done?"

"He will join us or die, Master," Vader said. He bowed, and the Emperor's hologram faded out.

Now that the Emperor was interested in Luke Skywalker's fate, Vader knew he had to do everything in his power to find Luke before the Emperor found him.

TR&FODV does mention the captured Rebel. The main reason I asked, was that you've quoted the scene where Vader's watching the Larses die on the holocomm, and that book was the first to mention it.

Some time later, Vader's dwelling on the name "Skywalker" for the pilot who destroyed the Death Star:

The Rise & Fall of Darth Vader

Could there have been other Skywalkers from Tatooine? Vader allowed the possibility. After all, it wasn't an entirely uncommon name in the galaxy.

But Anakin and Padme Amidala had been expecting a baby nineteen years ago.

Nineteen standard years.

It's not possible,Vader thought.I killed Padme. The baby died with her.

Not for the first time, he wondered if the Emperor had told him the whole truth about Padme's death.But I remember choking her ... seeing her collapse on Mustafar. I was so angry with her. And yet ...

Luke Skywalker exists.

Vader refused to believe the notorious Rebel's surname was merely a bizarre coincidence. If he had possessed any other name, Vader would not have hesitated to report what he had learned to the Emperor. But for purely selfish reasons, Vader kept the young Rebel's name to himself. To him, Luke Skywalker was more than a mystery to be solved.

He is ... an opportunity. As strong with the Force as he may be, he is an opportunity ... an opportunity for even greater power.

But who is he? Who were his parents? Could he have been Obi-Wan's son? But then why was he named Skywalker and raised by the Lars family? Or was he merely trained by Obi-Wan?

Because Obi-Wan Kenobi, Shmi Skywalker, Owen and Beru Lars, and Padme Amidala were dead, there was only one way Vader could discover the truth. He would have to ask Luke Skywalker himself. All he had to do was find him.

and later, the scene in ESB is shown from Vader's point of view.

The Rise & Fall of Darth Vader

"What is thy bidding, my Master?"

From light years away, on Coruscant, the Emperor replied, "There is a great disturbance in the Force."

"I have felt it," Vader said.

"We have a new enemy. The young Rebel who destroyed the Death Star. I have no doubt that this boy is the offspring of Anakin Skywalker."

Offspring?! The surviving tissue in Vader's throat suddenly went dry. Through his shock, he managed to say, "How is that possible?"

Without offering any explanation to support his stated conviction, the Emperor answered, "Search your feelings, Lord Vader. You will know it to be true. He could destroy us."

Having fought Luke Skywalker on Mimban, Vader was even more aware of the young man's powers than was the Emperor. But he also knew something else; Luke was as ignorant of their familial connection as Vader had been. If he had known the truth on Mimban, Vader thought, I would have sensed it. Still grappling with the Emperor's declaration, he struggled to find words that might discourage his Master's interest in Skywalker. "He is just a boy," Vader said. "Obi-Wan can no longer help him."

The Emperor believed otherwise. "The Force is strong with him," he said. "The son of Skywalker must not become a Jedi."

The Emperor had not said in so many words that he wanted Luke Skywalker dead, so Vader — needing Skywalker alive to accomplish his goals — took a different tack. "If he could be turned," Vader suggested, "he would become a powerful ally."

"Yes," the Emperor mused, as if he had not thought of that possibility. Vader could only imagine what the Emperor was thinking. The Sith had long maintained their rule of two: one Master, one apprentice. Even Vader knew that there wasn't room enough in the galaxy for three Sith Lords, and yet the Emperor's hooded eyes seemed to sparkle as he said more emphatically, "Yes. He would be a great asset. Can it be done?"

"He will join us or die, Master," Vader said. He bowed, and the Emperor's hologram faded out.

Now that the Emperor was interested in Luke Skywalker's fate, Vader knew he had to do everything in his power to find Luke before the Emperor found him.

So is Splinter of the Mind's Eye canon? Awesome.

Yes, all EU is canon, although there are different canon levels: G, T, C, S, and N. The movies are G-canon, while most of the EU novels are in the C-canon level. As far as the first three levels are concerned, the only practical differences between them is that if a contradiction arises, the higher-level material takes precedence.

Yes, all EU is canon, although there are different canon levels: G, T, C, S, and N. The movies are G-canon, while most of the EU novels are in the C-canon level. As far as the first three levels are concerned, the only practical differences between them is that if a contradiction arises, the higher-level material takes precedence.

However, this is a movie forum, and the EU (and its subsequent 'canon') doesn't need to be taken into consideration at all. Users can take it or leave it as they wish, this isn't the place for canon debates, or taking discussions into territory that's only supported by the EU. That's what the Literature and EUC forums are for.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye is an odd kettle of fish, though, its status in the LFL canon aside. If Star Wars hadn't been such a blockbuster, it could have been the second Star Wars film, not ESB.

Yup- they fought on Mimban in Splinter of the Mind's Eye- and The Rise & Fall of Darth Vader repeats the scene. It also provides a reason why Vader talks about killing Luke rather than capturing him as was his original intent- the Dark Side in him has been enhanced by proximity to the crystal- so he himself is surprised at what's coming out of his mouth.

It also provides a reason why Vader talks about killing Luke rather than capturing him as was his original intent- the Dark Side in him has been enhanced by proximity to the crystal- so he himself is surprised at what's coming out of his mouth.

I think that the Rebels put out a taunting press release that read "Rookie Rebel Pilot Luke Skywalker delivers fatal torpedoes to the Death Star with the help from his little band of friends." Once Vader realizes this is his son, he gets a little choked up with a sense of pride saying, "That's my boy."

That was pretty funny. If I was on Tatooine, Blue Milk would have shot out of my nose.